The height of the W123 Bio-Diesel boom here was a few years back; it’s subsided since then, undoubtedly for the very reasons that Perry has laid out in his CC today: these cars weren’t quite the paragon of worry-free million-milers as they were hyped up to be. But at its peak, there were at least two pl;aces in town specializing in them, bringing tired old freeway commute veterans up from California and other parts of Oregon to be re-purposed for a higher calling: guilt-free motoring.

West Side Motors in the Whiteaker District was the most active one, with a lot full of old Benzes awaiting either a new dino-free lease on life, or perhaps to donate their vital parts so that others could carry on.

Doesn’t time fly? Seems like it was just yesterday we were reading about BioWillie (Willie Nelson’s ambitious bio-diesel venture that has largely imploded), and all the veggie-oil burners? Well, bo-diesel is still around, but it turned out not to be quite the panacea its boosters tried to sell us on. Recycling used oil into bio-diesel is of course a great way to use up that stuff, but at the same time, we’re being encouraged to eat less fried food, so it’s not exactly a growing commodity.

Of course, bio-diesel can be made from almost any virgin plant oil too, but optimism about that came to a bit of a crash during the drastic run-up of food commodities a few years back, and the awareness that growing plants to feed our cars, either ethanol or bio-diesel, would inevitably be at the expense of feeding our selves, to one degree or another.

There’s a regional biodiesel plant and distributor (Sequential Fuels), which gets most of its feedstock from potato chip plants and such. But the expiration of the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit at the end of 2013 is undoubtedly going to hurt.

Meanwhile, there’s still a number of W123s clattering away with BioDiesel stickers, but in greatly diminished numbers. Folks have moved on…to Subaru XV Crosstreks. Driving an automotive hairshirt isn’t for everyone.

I always wished that lovers of biodiesel could have avoided the temptation to plaster their old diesels with bumper stickers that proclaimed “hey, lookee how environmentally friendly I am!” It is like the “I [heart] my rescued greyhound”. I am happy that they love their greyhound, but what, exactly, is the purpose of adding that it is a rescued greyhound, if not to draw attention to how saintly they are? Or maybe I am grumpy over being at the office so late.

It is a hoot to see the down-under version of some of the “wisdom” that adorns pickups in some parts of the U.S. Myself, I don’t believe I have ever put a bumper sticker on a car. I have shared here before a life goal of mine – to get a Subaru or Volvo to plaster with right wing stickers and a Dodge Ram 3/4 ton pickup to plaster with left wing stickers. Just to mess with people.

This reminds me of my brothers briefcase. He had all kinds of CDU (conservative) campaign stickers on it and placed it next to his chair. A teacher took note;”Oh you are a conservative?” My brother said:”Oh, sorry!” and flipped it over where it displayed all manner of SPD (social democrats) campaign stickers.
Another teacher came by and noticed……..

This is great. And so much more creative than the dog-lover who had “If it ain’t a pit, then it ain’t shit” plastered on the rear glass of his SUV. And also more creative than some of the Cummins vs Power Stroke diesel debates one can find stuck on the glass of 3/4 ton pickups.

I dunno about bio-diesel but I did like what one guy did with his Cummins. Seems he had a heat exchanger that pre-heated straight but filtered deep fat grease. Started it on diesel and when it was warmed he switched tanks. Switch back to diesel before you turn it off. No reported problems. He would solicit free grease as he went across country. A pump to empty the grease pits thru a filter and a tank for the grease in the back. About as close to free as you can get.

I don’t know what kinds of buildup or varnish removal that might lead to in the long run. Probably a drawback somewhere because it sounds too good to be true. I did read that it was illegal in the UK and you would get pulled over if you smelled like french fries. Tax evasion, you know.

Yes, I’ve been on the diesel forums long enough to see the gory pictures of engine teardowns after WVO use – if it really worked, there would be no need to make biodiesel (sooooo not trying to start a flame war here!).

In response to your comment about “rescued greyhound” dogs, the only kind of greyhound, except for the ones at the racing track, are rescued dogs. There is a very large dog breeding industry that goes along with greyhound racing. Once the dogs are too old to race they are put down. Very few greyhounds live to an old age. If you see someone walking a greyhound down the street, it is a rescued dog.

THIS ! I’m a Diesel Head / Mechanic who owns three W-123’s , a Coupe , Sedan and Wagon .

I’m sick to death of so many perfectly good old Diesels being ruined by jerkoffs , yuppies and lazy @$$ kiddies who refused to do the basic maintenance much less the additional maintenance necessitated by the veggie oil , waste engine oil they’re completely different , bio fuel cannot bge made from waste engine oil) conversions .

I got my Coupe cheaply because the nitwits in Sta. Monica , Ca. believed the hype , bought it and ran it on un filtered Canola Oil from Costco as it was $5 the 5 gallon jug for years….

The killed it dead , I have to re sleeve the engine block and replace all 5 pistons to bring it back to life .

Yes , there are a *very* few who do every single step , every time making their own fuel and they have dirt cheap fuel but no life as it takes so much labor .

A hair shirt indeed .

Not to mention the _MANDATORY_ 55 gallon oil drum that _always_ sweats an oil slick . – what a mess .

” Garbage in the tank ” is 100 % accurate .

Rescue Dogs can be great ~ I like little dogs and have Rescue Chihuahuas , no stickers , no signs , they love me , I love them , great watch dogs and not to big to sleep on my lap in my recliner .